Reader Holiday
A host of birding delights await visitors to the Scottish Highlands
IF YOU'RE TAKING part in our #My200birdyear challenge, or just want a taste of the incredible bird life of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, join our summer 25 Scottish Specials trip, run by wildlife holiday company Heatherlea. Based at Heatherlea's own three-star hotel in Nethy Bridge, in Speyside, you'll be taken to look for all the species that make Scotland a unique birdwatching location in the UK, with the help of Bird Watching assistant editor Mike Weedon and Heatherlea's expert guides. Top birds include Capercaillie, Crested Tit, Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Scottish Crossbill, Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting and Dotterel, Red- and Black-throated Divers in breeding plumage, and Slavonian Grebe in its own glorious breeding finery. Included is a day trip to Mull, allowing you to get great views of both eagle species, plus Black Guillemot, Hooded Crow and Hen Harrier, and throughout the trip there'll also be the chance to see the likes of Black and Red Grouse, Twite, and Corn Bunting, plus many other species, such as Ring Ouzel, Dipper and Merlin, giving a potential tally of more than 100 species during the week. Other wildlife could include Otters, Red Deer, and Mountain Hare. In between birding, you can relax and enjoy excellent Scottish cuisine at Heatherlea's hotel. So, sign up today, and expand your birdwatching horizons with Bird Watching and Heatherlea.